The British Academy of Film and Television Arts will bestow their highest honor at this years GAME British Academy Video Games Awards to the gather of Atari and pioneer of Pong, Nolan Bushnell.

Nolan Bushnell will be inducted into the BAFTA Fellowship at the 2009 award ceremony on March 10th in London, England. The Fellowship is the highest honor that BAFTA can bestow on an individual, and this year they're giving it to Bushnell for ushering in the era of the video game. Bushnell is understandably ecstatic.

“I am humbled to be selected for this honour from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. The British people are not only great game players but have historically been some of the best game creators. The pub culture and country house drawing room environments have been instrumental in spawning games and game players through the centuries. I am very grateful to receive an award from the people with a history of creating and embracing this type of entertainment.”

In other words, they love him...they really love him. Good going, Bushie.